Lawyer for Navy veteran scam suspect drops case

Jul. 13, 2012 - 08:03AM
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Last Updated: Jul. 13, 2012 - 08:03AM |

A man who identified himself as Bobby Thompson appears May 8 at a hearing in Cuyahoga County Court in Cleveland. The man is accused of running a scam that collected millions in donations from people who believed they were helping Navy veterans. (Amy Sancetta / The Associated Press)

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CLEVELAND — The lawyer for a man suspected of running a $100 million scam collecting donations for veterans has quit the case, saying it's too complicated for one court-appointed attorney to handle.

Prominent Cleveland attorney Mark Stanton withdrew from the case during a hearing Thursday for the defendant known as Bobby Thompson. Authorities don't think that's his real name but haven't been able to identify him.

Authorities believe the former fugitive committed identity theft and defrauded donors of up to $100 million in Ohio and 40 others states through a bogus Florida-based charity. A fraction of the money has been found.

The man was arrested in Portland, Ore., in May.

The charges against him include racketeering, money laundering and theft. He has pleaded not guilty.